So, on August 9th, my son and I made a road trip for Stricker's Grove. It's rare for us to have a free weekend when he plays soccer year round. Plus, with their limited hours where they are open to the public, it makes a visit there difficult to achieve. So, we arrived at the park around 12:20pm. The park is open from 12-8pm. We did not realize until we arrived, that the rides operate from 1-4pm and 5-8pm. Being that this park is pretty small, I agree in giving the employees a dinner break for an hour. The 1st rode we lined up for is their wood coaster, the Tornado. Since this was going to be my 100th coaster, I really did not want the Teddy Bear coaster to be my 100th. Tornado was built in house and in one particular place on the ride, it was apparent that it was. Still, it was a good coaster. Next, we walked over to my 101st, the Teddy Bear. Amazingly, this kids wood coaster was pretty darn good. They had a small collection of flat rides, including a Tip Top, a Rainbow, a Pirate Ship, a carousel, a junior whip, a boat ride and one other that I cannot recall. My biggest regret of the day was stopping to eat lunch before we arrived. We walked through the front gate and there were people that were grilling food right there. It smelled so good. Also of note, the park gives out free drinks and parking is also free. I took my son over after the Teddy Bear to ride the Tip Top. I had not been on one of those since I was a kid and Camden Park had one. Between the 2 of us, we had our car spinning insanely fast the entire ride cycle. We were both laughing so hard. He marveled at how the car had no restraint of any sort. I told him how back in my day, we rode by the seat of our pants. Next, we walked over to the Electric Rainbow. I also had not been on one of these since Camden Park had one. Great fun. He also remarked how the only safety measure was a chain in front of you. After that, we walked to the front of the park to get a drink. We then proceeded to the miniature golf course, which was also free. I started off pretty strong and joked about how they needed to size me up for my gold jacket. I spoke too soon as I performed poorly later on and he wound up winning by 6. After that, we took another spin on the Electric Rainbow, the Tornado and the Tip Top. We decided to head home after that. We had not planned on staying but a few hours anyway. The tickets were $22/person, so what a great value for a small park like Stricker's Grove. On a final note, I it is of note that this park is mostly a picnic grove with a few rides. Outside food is also welcomed and I saw some had brought their own grills. All in all, just a great park, with a quaint atmosphere and good employees. If you ever get the chance to go there, it's something you don't want to miss. 

Tip Top is possibly my favorite ride in the park, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! The world needs more of that ride type and I wish a manufacturer would start producing them again.

Stricker's Grove is such a great park. I was also there on Sunday for the open to the public day and I have never seen it so crowded! I think more people are discovering the park and know that it's a great place for some family fun! As mentioned Tip Top is such a great ride the the two coasters are decent. Also I love the fact they still have some of the old flats from Lesourdsville/Americana. 

Side note, it appears they poured a new concrete pad where the kiddy Drop Tower was removed so perhaps they are adding a new flat ride for next year? 

11 hours ago, johnjniehaus said:

Stricker's Grove is such a great park. I was also there on Sunday for the open to the public day and I have never seen it so crowded! I think more people are discovering the park and know that it's a great place for some family fun! As mentioned Tip Top is such a great ride the the two coasters are decent. Also I love the fact they still have some of the old flats from Lesourdsville/Americana. 

Side note, it appears they poured a new concrete pad where the kiddy Drop Tower was removed so perhaps they are adding a new flat ride for next year? 

We noticed that as well. I did not know that they had a kiddy Drop Tower. I was thinking that the park could use one. I suspect a new flat will be in that spot for 2027. 

We actually spoke to a couple of guys in line for Tornado. Was that you by any chance? They seemed very knowledgeable about KI's history and Stricker's Grove.

13 hours ago, KIBeast said:

We noticed that as well. I did not know that they had a kiddy Drop Tower. I was thinking that the park could use one. I suspect a new flat will be in that spot for 2027. 

We actually spoke to a couple of guys in line for Tornado. Was that you by any chance? They seemed very knowledgeable about KI's history and Stricker's Grove.

Could have been. I don't really remember talking to anyone in particular so it was probably someone else but I do tend to ramble on about amusement park history haha. 

Also I emailed with Debbie Stricker yesterday and she said they are adding a new Tubs of Fun kiddy flat ride for the 2027 season. It's currently being refurbished. I think that will make for a nice addition and is hopefully less problematic from the maintenance standpoint.